Sacred Kingdom vs J.J. ??

FLEETING SPIRIT warmed up for her reappearance in the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot when working on the Rowley Mile racecourse in Newmarket on Friday morning.

The daughter of Invincible Spirit was beaten only a half a length and a neck by Equiano and Takeover Target in the 5f event last year and was at her most impressive in the Group 2 Temple Stakes on her first outing as a three-year-old when beating Borderlescott by two lengths last May.

Fleeting Spirit was ridden by Frankie Dettori in her exercise over 5f and showed a ready turn of foot in the closing stages of her exercise when going two or three lengths clear of her companion.

Trainer Jeremy Noseda said: "She is getting ready to run in the King's Stand and I was very happy with the way she worked. Everything is going smoothly with her preparation and that will bring her on a lot."




Does not look like JJ is going to be taking part in the kings stand as only irish firm Paddy power haS JJ in the betting,it`s a pity as the race looks full of if`s and buts IMO

Chantilly: Prix du Gros-Chene (Group 2) 5f, 3yo+, €130,000

THREE of last season's sprint stars - Marchand d'Or, African Rose and Equiano - use this Group 2 contest as a prep for Royal Ascot.

Marchand d'Or beat Equiano in this race a year ago and the form later worked out superbly. Equiano went on to win the King's Stand Stakes and Marchand d'Or landed a remarkable Group 1 treble when taking the Darley July Cup, a third Prix Maurice de Gheest and a re-run of the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp.

So far this season, Marchand d'Or has been a shadow of his usual self , failing to appreciate the dirt with a lacklustre effort in the Dubai Golden Shaheen at Nad Al Sheba in March.

Equiano joined Barry Hills after his Ascot victory last year but hasn't won since and was beaten by Tax Free at level weights when the pair clashed in the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket in April.


Trained by Criquette Head-Maarek, African Rose blossomed late last summer, winning the rearranged Ladbrokes Sprint Cup at Doncaster, which was rerouted from Haydock due to weather conditions. She will be making her seasonal debut.

David Nicholls saddles Tax Free and he will be hoping for better luck than he had with Inxile, who was disqualified after winning the Prix de Saint-Georges at Longchamp earlier in the month.

That race was eventually awarded to German speedster Mood Music and Benbaun was promoted to second position. Marchand d'Or failed to impress that day and Freddie Head was at a lost to explain the below par effort although the horse was giving lumps of weight away to the others.

>>What they say

Freddie Head, trainer of Marchand d'Or

"All is well with the horse and last time at Longchamp he was giving a lot of weight away and it was his first time back on grass for sometime. He was also a little out of his ground early on. Things went wrong when he ran in Dubai in dirt and the performance is still a mystery."

Criquette Head-Maarek, trainer of African Rose

"So far she has done everythingright this year and is working well but it is always a delicate period in their career when a filly goes from three to four and we will know more when she reappears. The others have all had the advantage of a previous run this season."

Charlie Hills, assistant and son of Barry Hills, trainer of Equiano

"He ran very well at Newmarket but it was a bit quick for him at York next time out. The colt came out of the race in good order and he ran well in this race last year. I think we have a good chance."

David Nicholls, trainer of Tax Free

"He is going well at home and is very forward. It is a tough race but he is a tough horse and we are hoping for better luck this time. I think the step back to five furlongs will help him."

J J The Jet Plane will be the star attraction at Windsor on Monday as he makes his European bow in the sportingbet.com Up Up And Away Stakes.

The five-year-old is a dual Group One winner in his native South Africa and was a winner at the Dubai Carnival in February for trainer Mike De Kock.

J J The Jet Plane has been ensconced at De Kock's Newmarket base since travelling over from Dubai and he is pitched into Listed company on his reappearance.

"His preparation has gone very well but he's not quite at 100% for tomorrow, this run will just bring him on," said Juan Nel, who has been overseeing the horse's preparation for De Kock.

"Ryan Moore will be riding for the first time in a race but he came down and rode him in a gallop on the Rowley Mile last week and seemed to get on well with him."

J J The Jet Plane, who has a mark of 120, will have to give weight away all round at Windsor but Nel is confident the son of Jet Master can put up a bold show and secure his ticket to Royal Ascot

"Giving weight away is always a concern but I think he's a better horse. On the ratings he is the best but he's only giving a maximum of 7lb away here so we are expecting a good run," added De Kock's assistant.

"If all goes well tomorrow, we will be looking towards the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot with him."

J J The Jet Plane faces six rivals in the six-furlong heat, headed by Frank Sheridan's recent Group Three third Icelandic.

Edge Closer, Genki, Intrepid Jack, Shallal and Sohraab complete the line-up.

Sounds good, go JJ go

JJ about a 4/6 chance atm,but not very much cash about...

Jim i should be there tomorrow night just after 1st race, traffic permitting. Give me a shout if you're still going? Weather forecast making for a great evenings racing! cheers Alan

Lucky lads, I see we are crossing over to racing international channel but they only mention Thirsk, hope tellytrack will make a plan, even if we cant have betting.

I hear race 8 at fairview will clash, so no coverage. But i am sure we can read on ABC the result.

Final card

Looks good, thanks Hibby

7:55 is that 9:55 local

only one hour Sly